The roads were dangerous, and highwaymen lurked in the neighbourhood, but the actress put her faith in Providence--and a brace of pistols which she always carried.

The pistols came very nicely to her rescue one evening when a robber waylaid the chaise and put to the traveller the conventional question as to whether she most valued her money or her life.

Nothing daunted by the impertinence of this ethical query, Mrs.Porter pointed one of the weapons at the intruder, and he, so goes the story, gracefully surrendered, for the reason that he was himself without firearms.

The man made the best of the situation, however, by assuring the occupant of the vehicle that he was "no common thief," and had been driven to his present course by the wants of a starving family.

He told her, at the same time, where he lived, and urged his distresses with such earnestness, that she spared him all the money in her purse, which was about ten guineas.[A] [Footnote A: Bellchambers' "Memoirs." This episode happened in the summer of 1731.] Thereupon the highwayman departed, and Mrs.Porter whipped up her horse.